Hypothiroidism

I was told by my doctor i have hypothiroidism. Just got re tested since last time i didnt get meds and now i have horrible symptoms. I have hot flashes, daily headaches... daily, sweaty hands, dizziness all day. Wake up at night sweating, dizzy and nauseous. Sometimes i get tachycardia. Im confused because if im hypo why am i having hyper symptoms. Or should i worry its something else? Can someone help? Also, are headaches common with this?

[greygoose]

Why don't you have 'meds' if you're hypo? Do you have a copy of your results? Were your antibodies tested?

Don't be confused by symptoms, a lot of them cross over from hypo to hyper. That's why we need labs as well as noting symptoms. But, without seeing the labs, it's impossible to help.

[Hidden in reply to greygoose]

At the time that my thyroid wss tested, which was about 6 months ago the doc told me my levels are not serious enough to take the meds and they didnt want my body to get used to them. And now im suffering. My thyroid was tested again last thursday by a different doctor. Waiting for results.

[greygoose in reply to Hidden]

That doctor is talking rubbish, and has no idea what it's all about! I don't think he understands that you can't live without thyroid hormones - T4 and T3.

And, if your levels of these two hormone are low, then you're going to get all sorts of symptoms, as you have found out - anything and everything can be a symptom of low thyroid.

And, it's not going to get better, it's going to get worse. And, it's not a question of your 'body getting used to them' because thyroid hormone replacement is for life, because you cannot live without it.

When you get your results, post them on here, with the ranges. Good luck with the different doctor!

[Hidden in reply to greygoose]

Hello. I got my results for my thyroid. The doctor said the level was 6.25 and it is hypo. But medication with that level is not necessary.

[greygoose in reply to Hidden]

What a w****r! Of course it's necessary. In some countries you'd be treated when your TSH reaches three! I suppose he wants to wait until it's ten? Well, he's wrong, that's all I can say. Tell him you want 50 mcg levo, and if he won't give it to you, you will treat yourself. See what he thinks about that!

[greygoose in reply to greygoose]

The fact that you're having symptoms should be proof enough that you need treatment - to anybody who knows anything about thyroid, anyway. Why should you be expected to continue to suffer when there's help at hand? Tell him you want the treatment, and you will take full responsibility for any 'consequences' (your body getting 'used to' the levo, for example lol). Of course, there won't be any, so it's a safe bet.

[Hidden in reply to greygoose]

Thanks. Im thinking of going to another doctor or an endocrinologist. Because i told him i get all the thyroid symptoms. Feeling some now. But he still wont even give me 25mcg

[greygoose in reply to Hidden]

Another doctor is a good idea. An endo perhaps not such a good idea - unless you know of a really good one. The trouble with endos is that they are nearly all diabetes specialists who think they can wing it with thyroid. The can't. They often know less than the GP - and will certainly know less than you! But, they are the ultimate authority, and what they say, goes. GPs will rarely go against their advice - not knowing enough about thyroid to realise that endos are usually wrong! So, if an endo says you don't need treatment, that's it! You won't get it. Sometimes best for hypos to keep away from endos, I find!

[humanbean in reply to Hidden]

At the time that my thyroid wss tested, which was about 6 months ago

If someone has tests which show hypothyroidism for the first time, it is possible that their thyroid has been affected by a virus or illness of some kind, so doctors insist on waiting for the patient to recover from any possible viral illness before re-testing.

Doctors should re-test after 3 months, not 6 months.

You were made to suffer for twice as long as necessary!

[shaws Administrator]

Get a print-out of your latest blood test results, with the ranges. Ranges are important as labs differ in their results.

We can get hyper symptoms because our heart in particular needs adequate hormones to function. It is struggling because you don't have sufficient yet. It is a slow build up every six weeks.

I shall give yo a list of clinical symptoms and I think you'll have more than a few.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

All blood tests from now on for your thyroid gland has to be at the very earliest possible, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose of levo and the test and take afterwards. Always get a print-out of your results with the ranges for your own records and you can post if you have a query.

Blood tests are every six weeks with an increase of 25mcg of levo. Ask GP to test also B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate as deficiencies can also cause symptoms.

It is a learning curve, so read questions and answers and you will begin to understand.

Hypothyroidism if untreated can be fatal, so we have to have our hormones optimal. Sometimes many GPs think 'somewhere' in the range is fine for the TSH but we need it to be 1 or lower. Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach, usually when we get up, with one full glass of water an wait about an hour before eating. Food interferes with the uptake as does caffeine.

Your doctor should have started you on 50mcg of levothyroxine with increases of 25mcg every six weeks till you feel much better.

[Hidden in reply to shaws]

Hello. The doctor gave me my results. Said my level is 6.25 which is hypo. Told me i dont need medication if its lower than 6.99

[sarahstevo1974]

Hi

Just wanted you to know you are not alone with your symptoms I was diagnosed in April and started with 50mcg of levo I have recently 2weeks ago had my dose increased to 75mcg like you I suffer with constant dizziness, hot flashes, headaches, sweaty hands and heat aversion (amongst other things) but I am pleased to say that after a shakey start I am starting to feel better I still have symptoms daily but not as severe as they were at the start of the year!

I have had some good advice from members on this site they really know their stuff

Make sure you get print outs of your blood results so you can post them and get the right advice

I have not been able to do this as I am currently having a fight with my GP surgery after having asked for copies of all my bloods initially I was told they don't do that I pointed out I was entitled and they said they would speak to the doctor I am still waiting for a response and have again emailed them today requesting them again

Hope you get sorted soon

Chin up xx

[Hidden in reply to sarahstevo1974]

Im happy to hear that you feel better. Iam also relieved that my symptoms are the normal for hypo. I hope you get the results you asked for without any delay.